Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Zelenograd

For one person, living is cheaper in Zelenograd: $940 a month against $2,663 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $20,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,663
/mo nomad
Zelenograd
🇷🇺 Russia
$940
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Austin, TX and in Zelenograd

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Austin, TX and in Zelenograd actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,663 in Austin, TX versus $940 in Zelenograd.

  • Austin, TX $2,663
  • Zelenograd $940

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,133 in Austin, TX versus $1,416 in Zelenograd.

  • Austin, TX $4,133
  • Zelenograd $1,416

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,603 in Austin, TX versus $1,892 in Zelenograd.

  • Austin, TX $5,603
  • Zelenograd $1,892

Living in Austin, TX is roughly 183% more expensive than in Zelenograd, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Austin, TX is 97% above, Zelenograd is 30% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Zelenograd
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.77 $20.77
$5.79 ₽483
258.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$29.26 ₽2,442
189.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.32 $12.32
$7.60 ₽634
62.11%
Cappuccino
$5.63 $5.63
$2.83 ₽236
98.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$0.93 ₽77.9
300.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$0.54 ₽44.75
362.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$0.98 ₽81.9
721.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.01 $9.01
$1.47 ₽123
512.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Zelenograd
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.12 $1.12
$0.92 ₽77.0
21.74%
White Bread (500g)
$3.75 $3.75
$0.87 ₽72.3
331.03%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.26 $3.26
$1.17 ₽97.7
178.63%
Eggs
$4.17 $4.17
$1.61 ₽134
159.01%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.90 $12.90
$9.10 ₽760
41.76%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.16 $14.16
$5.06 ₽422
179.84%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.22 $16.22
$11.82 ₽986
37.23%
Apples (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$1.57 ₽131
175.80%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$1.47 ₽123
-0.68%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$1.59 ₽133
183.65%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.34 $4.34
$2.50 ₽208
73.60%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$0.67 ₽56.2
285.07%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$0.38 ₽31.35
518.42%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.41 ₽118
26.24%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$0.41 ₽33.94
441.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.88 $9.88
$2.13 ₽177
363.85%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.08 $15.08
$6.99 ₽583
115.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92 $2.92
$0.77 ₽64.4
279.22%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46 $3.46
$1.52 ₽127
127.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Zelenograd
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.49 $1.49
$0.53 ₽44.43
181.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.72 $41.72
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.73 $2.73
$3.47 ₽290
-21.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 $1.66
$0.21 ₽17.66
690.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.30 $35.30
$3.53 ₽294
900.00%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$0.86 ₽71.5
10.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K $36.0K
$36.1K ₽3.0M
-0.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1K $27.1K
$48.6K ₽4.1M
-44.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Zelenograd
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$229 $229
$107 ₽8,899
114.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.4 $59.4
$3.61 ₽302
1545.15%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.9 $69.9
$4.74 ₽395
1374.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Zelenograd
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.2 $57.2
$34.89 ₽2,912
64.06%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.33 $16.33
$22.14 ₽1,848
-26.24%
Cinema Ticket
$14.28 $14.28
$5.94 ₽495
140.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Zelenograd
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,506 $1,506
$181 ₽15.1K
730.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.5K $21.5K
$3,632 ₽303.1K
490.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Zelenograd
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.8 $52.8
$42.26 ₽3,527
24.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.82 $43.82
$23.46 ₽1,958
86.79%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.8 $84.8
$142 ₽11.8K
-40.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 $103
$119 ₽9,962
-13.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Zelenograd
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,907 $1,907
$470 ₽39.2K
305.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,274 $1,274
$321 ₽26.8K
296.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$911 ₽76.1K
302.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,538 $2,538
$502 ₽41.9K
406.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,614 $7,614
$2,238 ₽186.8K
240.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,157 $3,157
$1,449 ₽120.9K
117.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Zelenograd
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,121 $5,121
$940 ₽78.4K
444.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
18
-62.28%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Austin, TX: October 12, 2026

Last update for Zelenograd: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Zelenograd
$321 74.8% $953
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$405
Zelenograd
$187 53.9% $218
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$358
Zelenograd
$115 67.9% $243
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$354
Zelenograd
$117 67% $237
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$128
Zelenograd
$147 14.9% $19
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Zelenograd
$47 45.5% $39
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$59
Zelenograd
$6.7 * 88.7% $52

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,907 in Austin, TX and $470 in Zelenograd. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 445% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $85.0 in Austin, TX vs $29.00 in Zelenograd for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $405 vs $187 per month, with Zelenograd cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇷🇺 Zelenograd
🕒 Local time
03:02 3:02 AM
11:02 11:02 AM
8 h ahead of Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
223,902
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

RUB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Russian Ruble exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 83.46 RUB (100 RUB = 1.2 USD). 1 EUR = 93.83 RUB (100 RUB = 1.07 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Zelenograd 9,520 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Zelenograd

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Austin, TX vs Zelenograd: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Zelenograd?
Zelenograd wins on cost – living expenses run 183% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Zelenograd the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Austin, TX or in Zelenograd?
Average pay runs 445% higher in Austin, TX, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Austin, TX compared to Zelenograd?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,907 in Austin, TX versus $470 in Zelenograd. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Austin, TX and in Zelenograd?
Childcare runs $1,506 in Austin, TX versus $181 in Zelenograd. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Austin, TX and in Zelenograd?
Dining out is cheaper in Zelenograd – a meal for two runs $29.00 versus $85.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Austin, TX or in Zelenograd?
At $940 in Zelenograd versus $2,663 in Austin, TX, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Zelenograd but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Zelenograd the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Austin, TX or Zelenograd?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Austin, TX compared to Zelenograd?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and Zelenograd are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Zelenograd gentler on the wallet – expenses run 183% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Austin, TX vs other spots: cost of living compared

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